The Department of Communities for Northern Ireland has commissioned a £200,000 Roof Repair Stream Scheme aimed at funding roof repairs to listed buildings.
Owners can benefit from £5,000 for repair works associated with roofs including chimneys and gutters, while £10,000 is available for the repair of thatched roofs.
The Historic Environment Fund is divided into four streams: Heritage Repair; Heritage Research; Heritage Regeneration; and Heritage Revival.
The report said that the programme can help towards the repair of the original fabric of historic listed buildings, provided it can be demonstrated that the works are necessary. The funding may also help with some associated professional fees up to the totals stated.
This is part of a £350,000 executive package of support being provided to the built heritage sector this year.
Launching the fund, Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey said: “Our listed buildings are a precious resource which provide character to our place and remind us of our shared history. It is important that we work together to ensure that they are maintained for the future and that the full potential they hold for the present is realised.
“The fund has been designed to allow a swift processing of applications to deliver support quickly to where it is needed. The focus on roofs reflects an increase in the number of buildings on the Heritage at Risk register over recent years. In many cases roof problems have been identified as the main cause of decay.
“I would encourage eligible building owners to apply by the deadline of 21 June, 2021.”
All applications will be marked relative to clear criteria and those scoring highest will be supported, subject to their compliance with the scheme.
